Comparison of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and thoracotomy for spontaneous pneumothorax

Objective To compare the outcomes of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS) and thoracotomy(TH) in the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax.Methods Observing the therapeutic effects of 88 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax treated by VATS and 48 cases by TH.Results The mean operation time[(58±34.3)min vs(95±30.7)min],volume of bleed in the operation[(51±26.8)ml vs(93.3±74.4)ml],time of postoperative drainage [(1.5±1.1)d vs(2.8±1.5)d]in the VATS group were significantly shorter than that in the TH group.No statistically difference existed in the rate of reoccurrence between the two groups [2.3%(2/88) vs 2.1%(1/48),P0.05].Conclusion VATS is as effective as TH in the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax,whereas it can be less invasive and achieve a shorter operation time,less volume of bleed in the operation and shorter time of postoperative drainage.